Posts Tagged ‘food’

What’s Myth And What’s Fact About Vegetables

Some people say that it is healthier to eat raw veggies while others say the opposite. You may be surprised by the actual facts about these vegetables because there are several misconceptions when it comes to vegetables.

Here are some guides to what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to eating your veggies:

Myth #1: Fresh ones are more nutritious than frozen

Fact: Studies show that sometimes you can get more nutrients from frozen veggies but it depends on variety and how old the vegetables at your supermarket are. Produce starts losing nutrient quality as soon as it’s picked. Frozen veggies are preserved at their peak of freshness when they are most nutritious. (more…)

How To Feel Happier In A Natural Way

We’d get ourselves to a doctor if we feel ill but if the feeling is emotional like being worried, sad or hopeless, we are likely to resist seeking help for months or even years. According to a survey by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lily, it takes 6 years for people to get treated for mood disorders.

Suffering in silence is a bad idea and failing to seek help for anxiety or depression is downright dangerous. The longer you wait, the worse things can get. Untreated anxiety can turn into depression and vice versa.

Getting a diagnose is your first step to feel like yourself again. You can ask your physician for a referral to a psychologist or a psychiatrist or you can call your insurer to provide you a list of mental health providers and I can assure you that you will be glad that you did. You can also do this to a friend who is struggling emotionally. (more…)

What Are The Things We Can’t Live Without

In spite of the recession, Americans have clung dearly to a few surprising necessities. This only shows that people also require a bit of entertainment and a tasty beverage or two. Companionship is important even if it’s not human. And you can’t even look for a job these days if you don’t have internet access.

Aside from the food, clothing and shelter, what are the other things that we can’t live without? The following are the 10 new most essentials for people:

  • Coffee: Though Americans cut back on the $5 daily latter, they’re compensating by brewing more of their own coffee. 86% of coffee drinkers make their own at home and if a lot of people are drinking more booze at home, it makes sense that they’d be dosing themselves with more coffee, too.
  • Beer and Wine: Their sales have inched up over the last few years. More people are drinking at home while watching their favorite TV programs. (more…)

Clever Shopping Moves That Will Save You More

With the rising costs of grocery items, you want to save a few bucks. With DIY recipes, you can now easily slash your bill. Most manufacturers would like to make you think you are getting a good deal in exchange for convenience. But the truth is, they just eating away your food budget.

This is the right time to be clever and cross the following items off your list for good:

  • Energy or protein bars: These have a very high fat and sugar contents, and calories, not to mention that they 2 to 3 times more expensive than a regular candy bar. You can try the vitamin-rich piece of fruit, a yogurt or a handful of nuts instead buying those expensive bars. (more…)

How To Shrink Your Middle

There are many little things that can make or break your middle. Here are some easy ways to start shrinking without crunching.

  • Get an extra ab workout. You have to stand when doing weight-lifting exercises to make your abs work too. They help to balance and stabilize your body. You have to concentrate to keep your abs and maintaining good posture. But remember, don’t hold your breath.
  • You have to stop smoking. Smokers tend to have more abdominal fat than nonsmokers. Smoking can also increase the level of cortisol and when you stop smoking, the amount of abdominal fat decreases. (more…)

Sun Exposure Is Good For Our Health

Study shows that 3-quarters of Americans are vitamin D deficient because of using sunscreens. The rays of sun trigger the body to produce vitamin D that helps reduce the risk of certain cancers like breast and colorectal cancers, protect the heart and decrease the chances of catching a cold. It is also associated with a reduced risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

According to a dermatologist, spending a little time in the sun without applying SPF can be a good thing. People with higher levels of vitamin D in their systems had thinner, less severe melanoma lesions than those who had low levels of vitamin D.

People who are at risk of D deficiency are those who live in  a winter climate countries where skies are cold and gray and those with darker skin tones, increased melanin makes it harder for them to synthesize vitamin D from the sun anytime of year. (more…)

Natural Way of Healing Headaches

Headaches are common at this time of year due to allergies wrecking havoc on your sinuses. Fortunately, there’s an alternative, yet natural way of healing the aching head. According to Chinese medicine, headaches may want to tell you something.

The pain in our body is a signal that there is a blockage of energy and blood. Our body is asking us to notice, evaluate and change the behavior that caused the pain. So, it is best to treat pain using natural remedies in order to avoid side effects and to become more aware of our body’s unique needs as well.

So what’s going on when a headache strikes? Tension headaches are often the result of muscle tightness and spasm in the neck, upper back and shoulder areas pulling on the scalp. In a migraine, blood vessels contract causing pressure, inflammation and a throbbing, pounding pain. Whether migraine or tension, headaches are most commonly triggered by sinus problems, muscle tension, eye strain, jaw clenching, a virus, stress, hormonal imbalance, lack of sleep or allergies. (more…)

28 Tasty Tips to Save on Food

Originally Posted by Stacy on Yahoo! Finance

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 the average American family spent $6,443 on food. To put that number in perspective, that “average” family consists of 2.5 people (not a nice mental image) with an income of $63,563. So from these numbers we can surmise that our average family spends about 10% of their income on food.

Depending on who you choose to believe, the average American family also carries a $5,000 balance on credit cards. If they’re paying 15% interest, that’s more than $750/yr.

Conclusion? We could materially impact two expenses simultaneously if we could convince the average American family to eat their credit cards.

But if that doesn’t sound like an appetizing solution, here’s another thought: If we can use some simple tips to shave 10% off the typical annual food bill, we can use the extra $50 a month we free up to help pay those credit card balances faster. With that in mind, here’s my attempt to fill your basket with more than 20 useful tips to slice and dice your grocery bill.

We’ll start with seven tips from this recent TV news story. It’s only 90 seconds long: check it out, then meet me on the other side for more. (more…)

Allergy Myths, Facts And Solutions

Allergies can impair our strength and vitality, which make us more prone to developing illnesses such as ear infections or sinus, headaches, low energy, sleep issues and irritability. For the past 10 years, hay fever is increasing dramatically that affects about 60 million people in the U.S. due to the following:

  • “Cleaner” Existence: Our immune systems become weaker since few of us live on farms and exposure to a variety of germs – that help build up our immune systems – lessen.
  • Processed Foods: Some experts also suggest that the chemical we’re ingesting from processed foods may play a vital role.

It is important that you have the knowledge about allergy facts that will help you feel better. Below are the list of the biggest allergy myths and how to deal with it. (more…)

Strawberries To Fight Cancer

According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), strawberry is one of the many fruits that can help battle cancer. This fruit contain phytonutrients and antioxidants that fight free radicals which transform to chemicals that damage cells and contribute to certain kinds of cancer.

Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C and a cup of these luscious fruit satisfies 140 percent of our required daily dose of Vitamin C. Vitamin C from fresh fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of developing polyarthritis, an inflammation of the joints and  those who consume low amounts of Vitamin C are more likely to develop inflammatory polyarthritis.

Vitamin C can prevent the decline of motor and cognitive skills related to Alzheimer’s disease, lower the occurrence of gout, stabilize blood glucose, protect against macular degeneration, improve wound healing, reduce wrinkles, alleviate varicose veins, strengthen the gums, and melt gallstones.

However, strawberries have a very low shelf life. It can only stay fresh for a day, but if refrigerated, it can stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days.